How to Straighten a Chainsaw Bar

Homeowners use chainsaws to tackle many tasks around their home and yard. While sharpening a chainsaw's blade is a part of regular maintenance for the versatile tool, the upkeep of the chainsaw bar is equally important. The chainsaw bar is the piece that extends from the chainsaw's handle. The bar fits over the chain blade. Sometimes the chainsaw bar bends or breaks while handling heavy jobs. Severely bent chainsaw bars need to be replaced. However, a mildly bent bar can be straightened by following a few simple steps.

Lift the blade guard into the up position.

Remove the bolts or screws that hold the chainsaw's bar in place.

Slip the chain blade off the bar.

Remove the bar and examine the bend.

Place the bar inside a vice. Clamp the bar firmly in place.

Use pliers to pry the bar back into position.

Remove the bar from the vice. Place the bar flat on a workbench.

Tap the bar with the rubber mallet to help work the bend out. Repeat until the bar is straight and flat.

Slip the chain blade back over the bar.

Reattach the bar to the base of the saw by replacing the mounting bolts.